Return To Player is the percentage of all wagers played that are rewarded back to players. The RTP rate is usually decided on the payback to players over time – often every month. Return to Player rates is described in percentages. The bigger the bets, the higher the wins returned to players.
Let’s say a new slot game is released and ten different players spin the first ten spins.
- The game developer promises an RTP of 98%.
- Ten players each spent €10.
- That comes to an investment of €100 in the very first 10 spins.
- With an RTP of 98%, math tells us that the ten players get €98 back and the casino makes €2.
- If the slot has a €1,000 jackpot and one player wins it, the casino is €900 “in debt.”
Can you see why RTP is theoretical? You need to give the algorithms some time to average out. Eventually, the online casino gets its money back and stays positive.
RTP matters if you’re a regular casino player and you invest a fair amount of money. If you’re a casual slot player, though, chances are the thrill of the game is enough for you. But for avid casino gamblers, RTP offers up a fairer chance of getting more value for your gaming investment and assures you that a game is programmed to provide a percentage of all the money wagered, be it by you or other players.
RTP allows casino players to get back at least some of the money they’ve wagered. Like any type of gambling, the house always has the advantage, but when you understand how Return to Player works, the chances of winning your money back will be to your advantage.
RTP and house edge go hand in hand. Let’s carry on with our example of 10 players each spending €10, and each only spinning the reels once.
The €2 that the casino makes is the house edge. But like Return to Player, it’s only valid over an extended period.
So, the house edge is the percentage of all wagers that the casino takes.
If you love numbers, it’s easy to work out the house edge. Simply deduct that percentage from 100%. For instance, a 96% RTP game has a house edge of 4%. Now you have an understanding of what RTP is, let’s dig deeper and find out who sets that percentage and how you can make it work for you.
While things are pretty obvious in some table games, where you know you can win about half the bets you place, RTP rates on online slots can be misleading. It doesn’t always indicate how often you can expect a win.
Slots can payout mega jackpots less often. But over some time, the result will be the same – a Return to Players percentage that’s slightly less than turnover.
Other games can be tricky to calculate as they depend on player strategy. For instance, Blackjack requires skill, and in Craps, different bets can be placed where the RTP ranges from amazing to pitiful.
Knowing that not all casino games are created equally when it comes to RTP can help you avoid certain games. That is games with an RTP of 93% or lower.